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Fund for traumatised quake children

Unicef, which says many children are profoundly traumatised, has announced a $7.5m dollar initiative aimed at helping survivors overcome the disaster.

It warns that psychologicial problems, particularly likely to show up in younger children, are set to spiral as events begin to sink in.

Unicef estimates that some 600,000 people have been left homeless by the quake, which struck north-west Turkey 11 days ago.

More than 13,000 people are known to have died and thousands more are still missing.

The agency announced its action plan after a team of social workers and psychologists spent several days carrying out a detailed assessment of the effects of the tragedy.

(Click here to see a map of where the earthquake struck)

They found that many parents - the first people to whom traumatised children turn - are suffering a high degree of disorientation and confusion themselves.

Unicef is launching counselling programmes in schools and is training teachers how to recognise indications of trauma and respond.

It also plans to establish what it calls "child-friendly spaces" in the temporary encampments that have become home for thousands in the worst-affected areas.

The concept, developed during the Kosovo crisis, aims to provide supportive environments where children can begin to recover their sense of security.

Unicef says that, if Turkey's children can get counselling now, they are likely to be able to recover from the disaster fairly quickly. But if their trauma is left untreated, it could stay with them for years.

The action plan will also focus on providing drinking water and protecting public health.

Reconstruction

The Turkish parliament has meanwhile given the government extraordinary powers to deal with the aftermath of the quake.

For the next three months, the government will be able to issue decrees that have the full force of law. These will cover areas including relief work, reconstruction efforts and measures to prevent future disasters.

On Saturday a team from the World Bank is due to tour the quake zone to assess the damage.

Turkey's treasury said the visit would help clarify the amount of foreign funds that Turkey will need for reconstruction.

The damage estimate so far stands at $10bn.

Shoddy building

The visit comes as Turkish authorities begin legal proceedings against several building contractors accused of shoddy construction.

Thousands of buildings collapsed in the quake because they were put up too quickly and cheaply.

The UN said rescue teams had been "appalled" by the poor quality of the buildings which had come down.

But controversy remains over the rapid clearing of the debris.

Architects and lawyers say the ruins should be kept as evidence to help victims claim compensation and to prosecute contractors responsible for sub-standard buildings.

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Relevant Stories

Turkey tackles shoddy builders (27 Aug 99 | Europe)
In pictures: Life amid the rubble and rain (24 Aug 99 | Europe)
A day in the life of quake victims (25 Aug 99 | Europe)
Turkey's rocky road to recovery (24 Aug 99 | Europe)
Finding words for Turkey's plight (24 Aug 99 | From Our Own Correspondent)
Turkey media leads criticism (24 Aug 99 | Europe)
The tales of the earthquake survivors (23 Aug 99 | Europe)

Internet Links

Turkish Daily News
Global Earthquake Report
World Health Organisation
National Earthquake Information Center (US)
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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